On 23 february 2007 I started my secondlife. Unfortunately the freedom I found there was quickly limited when my father also entered secondlife and start to put his nose in my business. As if he is a saint. Ask him about his more then 70 children he has and how he did take care of them. Anyway, as he is getting a certain age we will let him have his moods.

Dear SaveMe,

Congratulations with your new website but i hope you will keep the decency to leave our privat live out of this. You already used me as actor in your SL plays so i can’t enjoy a minute of my retirement anymore and i’m very afraid that this will not be your last trick on me. Please don’t forget who gave you life. All I ask is a little respect. The world doesn’t have to know that you have a morality from ZERO.So please keep your clothes on, don”t offend people and don’t try to get a new enemy every day.

Love,Your daddy,Cupido Oh

Does anyone think this is a normal comment? When parents start to respect their children?

This is exactly what i mean. I write you a private lettre and seconds later i find it published on your website. SaveMe Oh, you are the shame of the family.I would like to ask you again very friendly not to throw all our private stories on the streets because it’s not really something to be proud of.We are very worried about your well being and are considering to seek professional help for your problems.

Love Daddy,Cupido Oh

Daddy with his latest girlfriend Maan Nacht

ENEMY OF THE STATE NO. 1, SAVEME OH

Hi, Nordan Art and CARP group members,

You may have heard that Igor Ballyhoo deleted his account on July 23, 2011 (you can still find his profile, I think it takes about six months for it to be removed). The reason for this was he could no longer endure the persistent bullying and ongoing harassment by SaveMe Oh. She has been attacking him for the past year or so, part of this has been ongoing on her blog, part of it has been at gallery openings and part of it has been via private IM.

Many of the Art groups, and also Nordan Art and CARP, discussed earlier tonight what could be done about this. We want Igor back and SaveMe to be removed. While there is still some RL business that needs to be affirmed before any action can be taken,letters from art houses and art groups could greatly contribute and also personal letters from creators and art lovers like you. Also we will look into steps that can be taken in RL concerning the blog where shewrites her lies and harasses innocent people.

While we realize this is not an easy undertaking, we want to move forward with our plan. SaveMe Oh has terrorized SL long enough and nothing has ever been done about it. We ask you for your support in the form of a Letter of Complaint addressed to Rhett Linden, Director of Experience, Linden Lab. Drop it in his profile. The more people show that the terrorism Saveme Oh is acting out on SL is not longer possible; the more chance there is she will be removed from SL forever.

Thank you.

Flora Nordenskiold

Josina Burgess

Dear SaveMe Oh,

Linden Lab individually investigates the circumstances of every AbuseReport we receive. Following a careful review of our server records andlogs, we have determined that your recent actions violated the Second LifeCommunity Standards or Terms of Service. The violation in question occurredon February 25, 2008 in the region of public townscape.

Violation: Terms of Service: Misrepresentation

Falsely identifying oneself as being a Linden Lab employee,a representative of Linden Lab, or otherwise claiming aposition of authority within Second Life is a violation ofthe Second Life Terms of Service.

Group names or titles containing the word \"Linden\" are an example ofMisrepresentation.

The rules of conduct are interpreted with the broadest meaning possible.

Discipline:

No additional action is being taken at this time.

We will not disclose the identity of Residents who file Abuse Reports.

Sincerely, Linden Lab

Dear SaveMe Oh,

This email is notification of action regarding your Second Life account,SaveMe Oh, for violation of the Second Life Terms of Service or CommunityStandards. The violation in question occurred on September 20, 2008 in theregion of Davros.

Violation: Community Standards: Indecency, Mature Content

Mature material is allowed only in-world in Regions rated M(Mature). A PG next to the Region name at the top of yourscreen indicates that you are in a PG region.

The following content is not appropriate in PG Regions:Intense, strong language or expletives. Nudity or sexualcontent in textures, sounds, or animations. Contentdepicting sex, strong violence, or anything else broadlyoffensive. Soliciting of chat sex. Avatar nudity.

Action:As a result of this violation, your Second Life account isbeing temporarily suspended for a period of 1 days. It willreturn to active status on Sunday, Sep 21, 2008.

Sincerely,Linden Lab

Dear SaveMe Oh,

This email is notification of action regarding your Second Life account,SaveMe Oh, for violation of the Second Life Terms of Service or CommunityStandards. The violation in question occurred on January 30, 2009 in theregion of Immersiva.

Violation: Community Standards: Disturbing the Peace

Every Resident has a right to live their Second Life.Disrupting public welcome areas or scheduled events, theuse of repetitive sounds or gestures, deliberate andobstructive prim littering, or intentionally slowing serverperformance using resource intensive scripts or lights areexamples of Disturbing the Peace.

Action:As a result of this violation, your Second Life account isbeing temporarily suspended for a period of 3 days. It willreturn to active status on Monday, Feb 02, 2009.

Sincerely,Linden Lab

Dear SaveMe Oh,

This email is notification of action regarding your Second Life account,SaveMe Oh, for violation of the Second Life Terms of Service or CommunityStandards. The violation in question occurred on March 19, 2009 in theregion of Beaumont.

Violation: Community Standards: Disturbing the Peace

Every Resident has a right to live their Second Life.Disrupting public welcome areas or scheduled events, theuse of repetitive sounds or gestures, deliberate andobstructive prim littering, or intentionally slowing serverperformance using resource intensive scripts or lights areexamples of Disturbing the Peace.

Action:As a result of this violation, your Second Life account isbeing temporarily suspended for a period of 7 days. It willreturn to active status on Thursday, Mar 26, 2009.

Sincerely,Linden Lab

Dear SaveMe Oh,

This email is notification of action regarding your Second Life account,SaveMe Oh, for violation of the Second Life Terms of Service or CommunityStandards. The violation in question occurred on April 25, 2009 in theregion of Vanaheim.

Violation: Community Standards: Disturbing the Peace

Every Resident has a right to live their Second Life.Disrupting public welcome areas or scheduled events, theuse of repetitive sounds or gestures, deliberate andobstructive prim littering, or intentionally slowing serverperformance using resource intensive scripts or lights areexamples of Disturbing the Peace.

Action:As a result of this violation, your Second Life account isbeing temporarily suspended for a period of 14 days. Itwill return to active status on Saturday, May 09, 2009.

Sincerely,Linden Lab

Dear SaveMe Oh,

Video uploads disabled. Due to activity related to copyright infringement on your Facebook account, we have disabled your ability to upload any further videos.

Sincerely,Facebook

Dear SaveMe Oh,

Regarding your account: SaveMeOhThe following video(s) were found to be in violation of the YouTube Community Guidelines:

* SaveMe Oh is dead - (SaveMeOh)

Because this is the third violation of the Community Guidelines in six months and you have received previous warnings, your account has now been terminated. Please be aware that you are prohibited from accessing, possessing or creating any other YouTube accounts.Sincerely, The YouTube-team

Dear SaveMe Oh,

This email is notification of action regarding your Second Life account,SaveMe Oh, for violation of the Second Life Terms of Service or CommunityStandards. The violation in question occurred on May 30, 2010 in the regionof Odyssey.

Every Resident has a right to live their Second Life. Theuse of repetitive sounds, following or self-spawning items,or other scripted objects that intentionally slow serverperformance or inhibit other Resident's ability to enjoySecond Life are examples of Disturbing the Peace.

Action:As a result of this violation, your Second Life account isbeing temporarily suspended for a period of 3 days. It willreturn to active status on Wednesday, Jun 02, 2010.

Appeal Process:The decision to suspend your Second Life access was reached afterinvestigation of your use of the Second Life software and service. If youwould like to appeal your suspension, you may contact Second Life Support,in writing, at the address below:

Sincerely,Linden Lab

Dear SaveMe Oh,

This email is notification of action regarding your Second Life account,SaveMe Oh, for violation of the Second Life Terms of Service or CommunityStandards. The violation in question occurred on June 18, 2010 in theregion of .

Violation: Disturbing the Peace: Repetitive Content, Spamming

Repeatedly and/or persistently transmitting undesiredcontent, whether by IM, chat, notecard, object or texturedrop, or email to another Resident is unacceptable.

Action:As a result of this violation, your Second Life account isbeing temporarily suspended for a period of 1 days. It willreturn to active status on Saturday, Jun 19, 2010.

Appeal Process:The decision to suspend your Second Life access was reached afterinvestigation of your use of the Second Life software and service. If youwould like to appeal your suspension, you may contact Second Life Support,in writing, at the address below:

Sincerely,Linden Lab Hi SaveMe Oh, 16 septembre 2010

Facebook requires all members to provide their real first and last names. Your account must comply with all of the following authenticity standards:

• Fake names are not permitted.

Hi SaveMe Oh, 23 septembre 2010

Hi SaveMe,

Your name has been checked, and we have reactivated your account. We apologize for any inconvenience. Enjoy the site.

Thanks,

Bella

User OperationsFacebook

Dear SaveMe Oh,

This email is notification of action regarding your Second Life account, SaveMe Oh, for violation of the Second Life Terms of Service or Community Standards.

Every Resident has a right to live their Second Life. The use of repetitive sounds, following or self-spawning items, or other scripted objects that intentionally slow server performance or inhibit other Resident's ability to enjoy Second Life are examples of Disturbing the Peace.

Action:As a result of this violation, your Second Life account is being temporarily suspended for a period of 1 days. It will return to active status on Monday, December 16, 2013.

Appeal Process:The decision to suspend your Second Life access was reached after investigation of your use of the Second Life software and service. If you would like to appeal your suspension, you may contact Second Life Support, in writing, at the address below:

Well ist a fact: Save me is VERY Naughty, and sometimes people really dont understand why she is doing like she is doing, an other fact is that we all speak different languages, that can lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations

DC Spensley (aka Dancoyote Antonelli aka the Black Carrot)

“This person is NOT an artist but a BULLY, plain and simple who represents the worst kind of mean spirited humor which is not art. This character is a cowardly person, hiding behind an alt avatar, whoposes as an artist to mask deeply anti-social behavior.

Roxelo, your indulgence of this stupidity does deep discredit to you and disservice to Arco and the Uqbar MdM space. You should be ashamed of yourself for protecting this miscreant.

(but your protection did not stop them from being bitten by the coyote did it?)

Those of you artists who think I am being too harsh have simply not been attacked by this fool. The joke is only funny when it is not on you…

HAVE NO FEAR

If you are attacked, stand your ground, keep your cool and this person will go away. Never back down from a bully.”

Sole Jie

i just love her.. she is SL for me.. my idea of SL is she.. do whatever you want. dont try to do of SL a real busines, dont try to spent your time, money and efort in to be a fashion great artist in SL. cause someday SL will desapear.. all these platforms doit some day, and you will have spent all your time in nothing.. just HAVE FUN.. ok. i know … Read Moreshe is an ashole. and prolly i knowit better than nobody in SL, but, i care??? nop. i dont care.. i love her the same. she makes me laugh..and she gives me a lot of good times… sorry for those who try to be artistS in sl.. sorry for her behaviour. but she is my idea of SL and i love her for that.. and really believe it or not. (and she will kill me for this). SHE HAVE THE BIGEST HEART I NEVER SAW IN THIS GAME. YESSSS. GAMEEEEEE….JUST THAT… controversial???…. LMAOl she is not controversial. she is a pain in the assss…. OMG..spirit of secondlife???… HAVE FUN OF COURSE. ALWAYS.. SHE LOVES WHEN YOU BANN HER..

Cat Shilova

I was so much surprised to discover that Second Life was as much (even much more) conformist and codified and finally rigid than the real world… SaveMe is disturbing, and that’s perfect

Wiski Oh

I am not at all afraid of Saveme and I dont understand why people feel attacked by herself. I just feel her nice, sweet, gentle, clever and smart !

In fact she is only asking questions publicly. By myself, she is the most sharp and accurate artist online. And not only by playing colors or pixels on a screen or coding some application, but by THINKING AND ASKING about people, religion, behaviour, relationship, etc…

Is THINKING not business friendly, not good for the art marketing in and out world ?

I noticed recently that many “artists” are capitalyzing there art and managing it like some usual business with all the procedure of competition and aggressiveness in purpose of mind and money territory control.

In my opinion, art is not similar to coca-cola, and Saveme Oh is not a competitor of business in the struggle of Second Life and those who dont understand it have just one metaverse in late.

Sunshine Kukulcan

Based on my past experiences as a moderator of Art & Artist Network and a personal attack by SaveMe, Brooklyn may be watching, but I’m sure as hell not.

Her anger is legendary, her attacks frequent, and her art?? Well, without the anger, she is nothing.

Dekka Raymaker

In second life Saveme’s art is half-arsed, yes she can go to a good artists exhibit held on large well know gallery sites in second life and slag them off, but if she tried it on with a crap artist on a small private parcel she would last 10 seconds before the parcel owner kicked and banned her, so her art would be a fail and she can’t claim it’s a success because she would be kicked and banned because they didn’t get it.

Or maybe that’s a good point, Saveme Oh’s is the best compliment available, because she can only choose to attack artists who work is better than hers?

stupid edit:

It should say ‘Saveme Oh’s art is the best compliment available’

Sowa Mai

I am so confused.

I like SaveMe’s work but I always thought her work was her Second Life and that the videos were just a small part of the art. Like a drip in the corner of the painting.

I need to go to school

Poor SaveMe is so misunderstood. I feel it is my duty to speak up and say what is on my mind but I am a coward. Thank God for SaveMe to speak for me when I am too cowardly or ashamed. Please accept my condolences anyway.

I was shocked and afraid and wanted to hit back but I looked at why I had these feelings and learned about myself and was grateful. I looked further and realized here was a mirror to my self created wall of fear. A valuable reflection or a feared/hated reflection. The choice is mine.

I think I am looking at the content rather than the form.

Banrion Constantine

It is not always easy to say what is unpopular, especially since people will intend to have their revenge in one form or another if they don’t like what you have to say.

If art in intended to engage, to challenge, to give voice to the artist, I would have to say that Saveme’s work qualifies. There is a lot of angry, contemptuous, contentious, powerfully personal and/or political art out there. But I suppose it’s only supposed to be “worthy” if we deem it so. And where do we draw the line at censorship?

Why do people continue to be offended as if they have no control over the situation? We choose how we will react. I am continually floored at how easily people are insulted in Second Life. And I believe it was Eleanor Roosevelt who said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

Dissent is not popular, but it is important. There needs to be balance and Saveme is just as much a part of the artistic landscape as the rest of us. Her voice has just as much weight. Just as much value. It can open a dialog that can truly be inspiring and enlightening to all involved unless like most discussions nowadays, it devolves into name-calling and open hostilities.

More power to those who give voice to what most of us wouldn’t dare. We’re often too polite; too afraid of being isolated, shunned, condemned or losing support. What is wrong with someone challenging the status quo and calling us all out? We need someone to play the fool to our own self-tyranny.

Efrantirise Morane

Only pseudo artists can be afraid of Save me Oh

MonCherrie Afterthought

Ah the complexity of humor. We all have our limits, and as a form of social satire, many comedians or comedic narratives are “offensive” or rely upon self- deprecation/exposing negative stereotypes, etc. I found the Go To Hell and Oh Lord videos quite funny and entertaining. Maybe my humor is more perverse, flexible or forgiving.

However, SaveMe Oh, when you do talk of another artist (and not so much their art), flinging personal insults is never a good idea, and actually undermines your point of view. Attempting to intelligently criticize an art work is entirely different, whether expressed via words or art.

Georg Janick

This time we complain to LL, she should have at least that avatar banned from SL.

Soror Nishi

...and this from SL's most controversial artist SaveMe Oh, and maybe one of the funniest too.... one of those Public Information adverts.... you add the ending...

I have seldom had as many long comments as I did on my Koinup post about her and her vid Fuck the Swiss... but...well..that's the joy of SL, it takes all sorts to make a world.

My best friend (RL) is an artist and he has spent a lot of time abroad (i.e. Europe) as he currently lives in Paris. He has always been seriously shocked by how serious Serious Artists have to be on the Continent to be taken seriously...

No wonder SaveMe winds some people up, iconoclasts (why aren't we all?) have to be disrespectful, it's their job..

Josina Burgess/Josina den Burger - Velazquez Bonetto/ Laszlo Oerdoegh

We respect your talent and we also know you from other conversations as a much nicer person in RL that uses the avatar Saveme Oh as a total transformation into something different from your RL personallity. You are totally free in doing so, but also in SL real humans are behind every avatar and they can be offended and get hurt. Through your actions we as CARP/Diabolus dont want to take the stand as your defenders anymore, because you lost your credibility.

Calimera Lane

Its all an expression of frustration and lament, n'importe where you look, at her blog or whatever media she spams. She has expressed her laments in a most destructive, disrespectful way all the time. Targetting something one personally also dont like--as for her puns on US american puritanism--makes no difference to it.

Debbie Trilling

I know this was a hard decision for both Vela and yourself, Josina, and has taken many months of discussion and "second chances" before you finally arrived at it. I know from our group discussions on this matter that neither of you took the decision lightly, nor does it bring either of you any joy. However, it is the correct decision.SaveMe Oh's behaviour and attitude to others' hard work has caused far too many upsets and complaints to operate successfully in any group or within any project which requires collaboration. As CARP projects are essentially collaborative efforts, this group is clearly not the group that can provide SaveMe Oh with the correct environment to work within.Perhaps an enforced hiatus of three months might provide a suitable readjustment period. Perhaps not.

Josina den Burger: thanks Debbie, it was not with great pleasure to decide, but you know us very well already and I am grateful you support this.

Josina Burgess

A concern troll is a false flag pseudonym created by a user whose actual point of view is opposed to the one that the user's sockpuppet claims to hold. The concern troll posts in web forums devoted to its declared point of view and attempts to sway the group's actions or opinions while claiming to share their goals, but with professed "concerns". The goal is to sow fear, uncertainty and doubt within the group.is someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, chat room or blog, with the primary intent of provoking other users into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion.

Roxelo babenco

In Second Life, almost all SaveMe Oh fear, they feel threatened by her and interpret her behavior as inappropriate and lacking education. Many residents consider SaveMe Oh a provocative and disturbing person.A SaveMe like interact during performances, and often does so with transgressive interventions. It did so even during Arena, but none of us has ever taken the complaints against him, but his performances have always added something extra to the event.

SaveMe I know that may seem disrespectful and wrong, but these are the peculiarities of his character, never assume, deliberately provocative and transgressive, in perpetual struggle against the conformists.Do not be afraid to SaveMe Oh, only because it avoids the mediocrity and conformist behavior, not ban her if she "disturb" your event. She will be a real performance, without script or cloth, according to the art of improvisation.She is never trivial, is not kind, says what they think! Sometimes his thoughts may be unpleasant for the recipient, however, should be so great to be recovered and also counter the thoughts that we do not like, because I believe that the comparison is positive and a sign of openness and intelligence.

Soror Nishi

Brookston Holiday: Saveme was banned, so that Rezzed TV Island can continue to grow.

Well, not a new experience for SaveMe, I grant you, but I thought she was kinda cute, sitting there with a SaveMe for President title above her head. It was the "thought police" lollypop tho that sent Brookston (strange name) over the edge.

Wizard Gynoid

I think there is a place for the court jester. historically, they have had a serious role to play. they entertained the court, but they also had the freedom to point out painful truths that otherwise would go unsaid. in other cultures, it’s called the Trickster. once you realize what saveme is up to, i think she should be tolerated..

Rose Borchovski

And of course I have SaveMe Oh living on my sim, she squatted a spot in the sky. In a weird way it fits, we are like ying and yang, complete opposites keeping each other in balance. Sometimes I wonder when we will crash, but we seem to manage, never a dull moment with SaveMe.

And NO I’m not also SaveMe Oh, she has a different rl avatar.

Misprint Thursday

You're some cross between a comedian, an artist and an idiot all the which I enjoy but put them together and off we goooo

Larkworthy Antfarm

As I look at Igor’s raw and self-revealing work and Save Me’s reaction to it, I see a very intense battle being waged of almost theological dimensions. Save Me represents the biological and irrational emotions that Igor Ballyhoo suppresses within the dark unfeeling mechanical world he envisions where the biological has merged with the machine.

In this battle, there can be only one victor. In a sense, Save Me has shown that while the emotions may be more fragile than a rusty gear, they are also very powerful and can break the strongest metal. I think Igor’s retreat from SL proves this to be so.

As an artist I am drawn to his dark vision, but I am ultimately fighting to preserve what makes me human. Igor is also pulled in two directions. I think he believed he had conquered his feelings, but even Igor cannot escape the human element.

I respect all of the artists here. I have been honored to call both Igor and Rose my friends. And I respect Save Me Oh. She reminds me not to take myself too seriously.

Sca Shilova

Senceless Acts of Discipline

Certain people who feel somehow elevated enough in judgement to clamp down on the spirit of SaveMe Oh were attempting to “cleanse” the SL art scene “forever” of THE one person who has the guts to speak her mind freely about artistic content… What’s going on here…? Helloooo!!!

Besides the fact that I resent being swept along into some supposed bundle of like-minded voting fodder, there happen to be many people who really like what SaveMe is doing. I for one can't imagine SL without her. I love the edge! I love the stylish punk attitude! I love that she is insuppressible because that gives me some hope in a time when people are turning into obedient coded robots (and I am talking REAL life - for me it is all one life).

The art groups involved in this are abusing their validity by doing it in our name. When I join an art group it is to stay in tune with what's happening and not to receive witch hunt propaganda promoting to vote someone out of SL just because they do not fit into certain peoples vision.

SaveMe is playful. SaveMe is sharp. SaveMe is faster than Bruce Lee. SaveMe is sexy and witty and f*cking hilarious. She works hard. She's wild. And yes she's provocative! Bringing about much thought and debate. I thank Cheesus for that! She's a living catalyst. And despite the fact that her role demands her to act like she doesn’t give a damn, it doesn’t take much to see that SaveMe has HEART.

There are only a few people who stick their necks out by clearly and honestly voicing their opinions instead of choosing a comfort zone. These people push the limits. Without them there would be no change, and too often rejected as trouble makers by those who want to maintain established order. I see this voice of change as a voice in the back of everyone’s head. A voice most prefer not to listen to. This voice provides the necessary opposition that needs to be embraced as intrinsic to the whole. Excluding opposition is the same as excluding freedom.

This is a sign of the times. People are abusing terms like “freedom” and “terrorism” while in reality freedom of speech is disappearing everywhere along with tolerance and justice. In times like these interventions are necessary (for those that still dare). During the royal wedding in England there was a full police force out *preventatively* rounding up performers and jesters within a wide zone of the wedding... I don't find that healthy or just, because when people can't laugh at themselves it is mostly because there is something rotten somewhere that needs some air…

I keep hearing the questions, “Is it performance art?” “Is it intervention?” “Is it clowning?”, but to me these questions are irrelevant. There is a whole Information Revolution between the coining of these movements and now. What is relevant and essential is that SaveMe Oh comments on contemporary art in a virtual world.

SaveMe Oh is Hot. SaveMe Oh is a walking manifesto. She's a liberating concept that is Becoming a movement. SaveMe Oh is an advocate for freedom of speech and an essential player in making sure that virtual art is taken seriously as a cutting edge art form. If we are sincerely more concerned about ART than about our own egos (and alter egos) then we should embrace her challenge as our own.

Flora Nordenskiold

SaveMe Oh deserves her own blog post here. She was someone who put in a lot of energy, enormous effort and careful thought into her Second Life role; she was a performance artist and griefer in Second Life. SaveMe’s work as a performance artist was not remarkable, but sometimes not bad. She was, however, an excellent griefer; brutal, ruthless and feared by many. Some people became her friend simply because they were scared of being ridiculed. I think these individuals genuinely feared her, but were also attention seekers, social butterflies, who rose to pseudo-fame in the company of SaveMe. Others, mostly those who did not know her, would try to stand up to her. These poor individuals were easy targets for SaveMe, who would simply humiliate them until they broke down. Then there was a group of people who genuinely favored her approach and supported her. But most of us found SaveMe irritating and would avoid her like the pest. She was banned from sims on a regular basis for her obnoxious behavior and seemed to thrive on being banned from as many sims as possible. SaveMe distorted people’s chat conversations and posted them on her blog. Predictably, people would be upset and respond and then a griefer dialogue would ensue on her blog, attracting people to read her blog and her monthly blog-clicks would peek. I was griefed by SaveMe Oh on a regular basis and one incident turned into a very difficult situation that went on for days, if not weeks. I learned to ignore her completely then, but it took me a while to get to that point. I predict that SaveMe will comment on this post, either here on this blog or on her own blog, but she may not. If she does, be prepared for some significant bashing, intimidating threats and outrageous lies. I would expect nothing less.

Larkworthy Antfarm

Derender is a marvelous tool; however you get no drama if used too
often, and all I see on SL is drama, hysteria and poutrage over Save Me O’s
every action. Why? Does she harm anyone’s computer? Spread a virus or malware?
Does she bomb innocent children in the Middle East? Steal old ladies’
retirement pensions? Does she exploit workers? Practice religious bigotry,
misogyny, racism, or class warfare? No. She arrives like a breath of pixel life
anywhere she is invited. Her very presence creates buzz. The free spirits laugh
and doubly enjoy the show while the pretentious artists who take themselves so
seriously frown and try to put a damper on the spectacle. It is like a raucous
Bruegel painting come to life.

Suggestion: If you want avatar’s to whisper in tones of reverence as if
they were walking the galleries of the great masters at the Louvre, or at the
very least if you want the avatars to merely yawn politely and pat you on the
back for sharing your paint-by-number art that you have uploaded to SL, don’t
invite Save Me to your openings. Derender her. Ban her. Run for your very dear
pixel lives. But quit acting so damn self-righteous about it. Anyone knows that
having Save Me come to your show brings publicity, notoriety and increased
attention, so stop pretending you are so harmed by the experience. At the very
least you get to play the wounded victim in your own little drama as all your
friends and contacts help you lick your wounds.

You artists who work so hard to control the audience experience of your
art, creating straitjackets for us, tight enclosed spaces to contain our
experience need to realize that how the art is received is always going to be
beyond your control. I film other people’s art in SL all the time. I am 100%
certain, my vision is NEVER how the original artist saw their work. I can only
filter their art through my experience of and reaction to the art.

For me, the art in SL is best experienced alone with no other avatars to
detract from my interaction with the art. Or live. When the spontaneity of
events, the activity is all that matters. The art becomes texture, wallpaper.
Having a sim full of avatars TP into your sim, turn on their dance HUDS and go
vacuum the rug in RL is not a successful event. Having drama, poutrage,
laughter, silliness reminds me why we go to SL. To interact with other pixels.
We need more Save Me Oh’s, not less. When my avatar in a tutu jumps up on a
stage and dances as an SL musician plays, why must a sim owner threaten to
eject me? When Save Me Oh shows up, smile that you get a free art spectacle.
Life is short. The SL art world is small. After the party, we all clean up and
do it again. Your way.

I first fell in love with Save Me Oh at the art show for Mark Linden,
the former CEO of Lindenlabs. Save Me showed up in an outlandish costume and
clung to Mr. Linden like a slug. He virtually ran hither and thither attempting
to escape her mere presence — the most powerful man in SL able to have a real
emotional response not controlled by himself. How could you not love that? For
me that was the most memorable part of the show. It made him human to me. Not
just an avatar. And in some ways, it was the most interesting part of the show.

Tyrehl Byk

Empty wagons make
the most noise.

What I prefer are
people who are honest and substantial.

After having
personally witnessed the “performances” of this person for several years it is
clear that there is very little playful intent in evidence. What I’ve witnessed
repeatedly are the acts of a cyber-bully who appears to derive perverse
satisfaction from forcing herself into the lives of others and then gleefully
watching the results.

She repeats this
same process over and over and over again with almost no variation while
cowardly hiding behind the false facade of a “performance artist”

These aren’t
creative or artistically important performances. These are the rebellious acts
of a one-trick pony who is more interested in manipulation, control and
self-aggrandizement than in actual creativity.

I feel sorry for her.

Scarp Godenot

Every once in a
while, there is a true original. SaveMe Oh is one of those. Nobody could
duplicate her relentless assault on all things SL art. She makes you think,
takes nothing for granted, and rewrites all the rules.

Ya gotta love her
just for that.

Thirza Ember

Which brings us to this: When it comes to art and blogs, one stands alone. Inseparable from the inworld antics it chronicles, SaveMe Oh's transgressive, provocative blog is revolting to and against respectability. Now into its seventh year, it is probably the longest continuous performance in a virtual world, a portrait of the artist, the Rembrandt of Second Life blogs.

Mimesis Monday

Saveme Oh is an well
known performance artist in SL. Through her presence we are emperors without
clothes. Her witty sharpness transforms simple "IM's" into dramatic
texts published on her blog. In this way, she makes sure that the virtual art
continues to evolve.

Thirza Ember

SaveMe
Oh, you make the most amazing beautiful art - you make the others look like
mere amateurs... thank you so much for the show!

Gloria
Jeanne Wyatt

For my non-
art and art education friends and non virtual world friends let me introduce
you to one of the most controversial and edgy virtual world artists. I won't
try and explain her work , let it speak to you as it will. You may agree or
disagree with her themes yet she is a true artist one in both Real world and
the virtual world. I believe she is from Europe and has had gallery shows of
her work. she is an outspoken critic of any type censorship in the art arena.
Anyone interested in edgy tell it like she sees it, very well crafted machinima
and visual arts spectrum might be interested in her work. You can check her out
on Flickr and her blog. Disclaimer for some of my more conservative friends,
she does aim her art at the adult audience. Though I do not understand all of
her work I commend her for being a true artist in a mostly conservative world.

Marmaduke Arado

SaveMe Oh has alts, clones, spies, informers and even access to at least one account of
at least one other person. How do you block such a person? I've even told SaveMe Oh that if SaveMe Oh attempts to contact me in RL I'll call the police immediately (SaveMe Oh comes often to Portugal on holidays).

Larkworthy Antfarm

This woman is an artist. Her persona is unique. Her talents unquestionable. She
understands that SL art requires artists to let go of the old RL notions of
docilely viewing and interacting with art.

Ampel Goosson

Owing
to certain circumstances I will say this (and only once): SaveMe is a piece of
art. And art doesn’t have to be liked to be good.

Jj Coronet

Since i
tried to get SaveMe Oh unbanned from the Lea i have had loads of people telling
me how bad she is a no talent loosser everyone hates her. I disagree she has
brought a spark of light into second life its so needs the creativity she
brings may not be to everyone taste but i really like what she has done good
and bad its been fun to watch so keep it up and burn bright

Linda Laura Lindsey

She does not piss everyone off. I do admire miss Oh's skill at manipulating
those who are pissed off into saying such entertainingly dumb things.

Preben Wolff :
Second Life would be boring mainstream without SaveMe Oh.

Josef K

The party is over,
but what a party is was. SaveMe Oh's 8th rez
day party was like a master class in the art of performance. Not to forget
Morlita's music. It was the most impressive performance I have attended in
Second Life so far. It was fantastic
....

SaveMe – we know you know, consciously or unconsciously, that you’ve been acting foolish lately… misogynistic, offensive, flippant, insensitive, not thoughtful. And for the wrong reasons. So here’s the thing. You need to be taught a lesson, and several people are orchestrating it. It’s going to happen outside your performance at some point tomorrow. It won’t involve physical violence, but it will be highly embarrassing. I can’t tell you when or what specifically, of course, but you have two options. Stay offline and renounce your work, or accept the lesson and the embarrassment, which many people are craving to see you face at this point anyway. No going back now. That is all.

Soror Nishi

The Art of SaveMe Oh.

It seems about time for me to reacquaint those of you who either haven't heard of SaveMe and those who have, but only by default.

I did a long interview with SaveMe a while back.... here.....(December 2009) ...and I think it would be good now that hysteria and witch hunting have caused some to lose all rational thought to re appraise the role I am convinced that SaveMe plays in our art community in SL and in InWorldz.

Performance Art, according to wikipedia (here) is a concept which is open to debate..."Performance art is an essentially contested concept: any single definition of it implies the recognition of rival uses. As concepts like "democracy" or "art", it implies productive disagreement with itself.". That means that at its heart there is disagreement and debate as to what Performance Art actually is. This also applies to Art in general.

"From about the mid-1960s into the 1970s, often derived from concepts of visual art, with respect to Antonin Artaud, Dada, the Situationists, Fluxus, Installation art, and Conceptual Art, performance art tended to be defined as an antithesis to theatre, challenging orthodox artforms and cultural norms." [all highlighting is mine]

Now, one particular type of performance art was valued by the Dadaist and Neo-Dadaists and it was called Art Intervention... Wikipedia has this to say.."However, unendorsed (i.e. illicit) interventions are common and lead to debate as to the distinction between art and vandalism.[1] By definition it is a challenge, or at the very least a comment, related to the earlier work or the theme of that work, or to the expectations of a particular audience, and more likely to fulfil that function to its full potential when it is unilateral, although in these instances, it is almost certain that it will be viewed by authorities as unwelcome, if not vandalism, and not art."

The little boy who told the Emperor that he was clothed only in his Ego would have been a sort of aesthetic whistle blower, and he is held up as a sensible sort of a chap.

Now...in this era where people who pickle sharks and other farmyard animals, or use their unmade beds when they have run out of ideas for a show are now famous, renowned and celebrated. It would appear to me that Art Intervention is needed now more than ever. We are blessed with our own fearless SaveMe and she should be appreciated for her courage.

"...but she interrupted my Opening"... well, ban her...how difficult can it be? Your mute button is your friend if you get bored with someones drivel...

There is nothing mean spirited about SaveMe> I have spoken to her at length and find her warm and caring but allergic to BS and pretension. The Serious Artist is gonna tend to attract SaveMe like a moth to a flame, and if you haven't got a sort of tongue-in-cheek attitude to your own art...well...SaveMe will have.

There are numerous famous cases of Art Intervention, Duchamps urinal being the focal point for a few. The submission of a urinal as an art piece was in itself a critical statement of an august art body. Pissing in it (Brian Eno) seems as logical as the two guys who jumped into Tracy's bed....

I am amazed that not everyone is an Iconoclast. I cannot imagine how you can strive to be an artist and not be iconoclastic. As I wrote before (and it was of course misunderstood by some) there are no rules for artists, or there shouldn't be. If we can't turn everything upside down and piss on it then we are too hampered by tradition and custom to really break free from the cultural norms we were born into.... poor us.

Now... to this current witch hunt... I spoke to Igor a couple of months ago and he said ...It is difficult to know why I log on every day I think some days I am just wasting my time.... (or words very similar to that)... and...this is a feeling which we all have at times, and the reason why we need to have a break from one time to another. This state of mind has nothing to do with SaveMe ..... Igor is not frightened by SaveMe, Igor can give as good as he gets.

I have had several occasions, recently, to note the higher proportion of drama queens in SL than in InWorldz. This seems, subjectively, to be the case. Maybe being Ruthed is a positive experience in that we are brought down from our High Horse and made to realise that in Life we are all beginners.

SaveMe is cool, and amusing, and if you can't see that, well, that still doesn't give anyone the right to call for her expulsion from SL ...

....calling her a terrorist is like being buddies with George Bush. Shame on you.

SaveMe Oh graciously agreed to be interviewed for this blog. When we were finished with the questions, she showed me some of her art work. I had no idea she had created so much! Please see images above of some of SaveMe’s many creations.

Flora Nordenskiold: Thank you, SaveMe, for agreeing on such short notice to meet for an interview. It’s a pleasure to have the opportunity to ask you a few questions.

SaveMe Oh: I am all weekend already busy with interviews so I am used to it. Yesterday I was interviewed by Penumbra Carter for Soup Radio and another one want an interview too but I forgot her name.

Flora Nordenskiold: You have developed a reputation as a controversial figure in Second Life. Some people don’t like you, some avoid you, some fear you and, like a bunch of my friends, some love you. Would you please comment on SaveMe Oh, the Second Life public persona?

SaveMe Oh: When by coincidence my name became SaveMe on the day of my birth in Second Life it showed the path that I had to go. People start to ask me why I should be saved or if I was going to save them. And that’s how it all started. As I became aware of the fact that a lot of people here need to be saved. Saved from their real life that they try to copy here.

Flora Nordenskiold: On a more personal note, who is the individual behind the mask(s) of SaveMe Oh, who is the private persona who drives the radical public presentation?

SaveMe Oh: I am a director in theatre who uses me to be an extension of that. I fight for the right of free interaction between people in a virtual world and I fight against strange, imported conventions that people accept as rules, from which I have no idea why they accept them. The private person behind me doesn’t understand this self censorship, and on nothing based rules. And I also don’t understand why people with the gift of this strange virtual world choose to be so conservative and imitating Real Life. So there I have my battlegrounds.

Flora Nordenskiold: What inspires you to create in Second Life and what are some of the challenges that you have come up against?

SaveMe Oh: The new opportunities given to me here inspire me to experiment in all kind of ways, but as an artists I will try to connect all these experiments with each other as they belong together with my avatar and my behavior to one complete artwork.They are not separate things. Biggest challenge is that people don’t understand that chatting and interacting is part of creating. So my biggest conflicts I have with the lovers of static bullshit art.

Flora Nordenskiold: You have been in Second Life for a while, since 2007. What are your thoughts on art and creativity in Second Life? And are things different now, in 2011, than they were in 2007?

SaveMe Oh: In 2007 they were better as everybody was finding out new things. Now you see only copies from what have already be done before with better scripts, better building, but not with better ideas.The only interesting artworks for me now is interactive jamming between creator at the spot.

Flora Nordenskiold: Finally, I love Second Life, but I know I also sometimes struggle finding time for it. There are other times when I ask myself why I keep on doing it. What is it in your opinion about Second Life that keeps us coming back?

SaveMe Oh: The people you have met make you coming back and the possibilities are still there to explore. And also as a machinima artist there are great opportunities here to compose unique work.

I headed over today, accompanied by a very special friend, to Two Fish to see the work of SaveMe Oh, which is on a platform in the sky. I haven’t been here since I last interviewed SaveMe on February 6, 2011 (http://nordanomjorden.wordpress.com/2011/02/06/interview-saveme-oh/), at which time she gave me a tour of her place. This time around, I am not sure that I covered all of her work, there may be more levels, I only saw two. When one teleports in from Two Fish one lands on a platform on which are several large heads positioned. I really liked these heads, to me they express processing of impressions; disturbing, violent, questioning, etc., or perhaps it is about an overload of stimuli. With this work, to me, SaveMe captures the notion of thinking. Further down on a different platform I saw David of SaveMe Louvre, which I had already come across at UWA. Honestly, I’m not crazy about this work; its provoking, but doesn’t really do anything for me.

Lastly, I ended up on a platform below, standing in front of Queenkamer. Walking into it, I found myself in a room, perhaps a living room. There were several pieces of furniture placed throughout and two pictures on the wall, a staircase led to an imaginary second floor. There were two smaller rooms to the side, one had doors that could not be opened. There was a sense of having been set back in time here, maybe to the 1970s. I pondered about the meaning of this work. Was this SaveMe’s expression of a distant memory? Maybe it was her childhood living room? Was it still unfinished? Regardless, I felt that this room was important and full of meaning. Go and check out SaveMe’s work for yourself. Once you have arrived at Two Fish, just teleport to the platform in the sky: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cariacou/126/177/1466.

The Political Culture in Second Life

By QUAN LAVENDER

…shown by an Example in the Art World.

Is that accepted art? (with the beautiful avatars of Cherry Manga and Anley Piers)

We all know that Second Life is no democracy, but something like an absolutist system. To me it is a bit like China. Freedom in economics, but the rest.... We, the residents, have no other choice to complain about the incomprehensible decisions by LL that affect our lifes here but nobody cares.

A good example of it is the LEA's committee. LEA is for Linden Endowment of Arts which enables artists to make use of about 30 sims for a limited time. The great initiative of some has led to the formation of this committee, which approves the applications. Without knowing details, it was certainly not democratically determined. Different approaches of the members have led in the meantime to a deep crack. It is an open secret that this committee is more ore less paralyzed. Those of them I know still do their best. But despite all good intentions it creates an unhealthy culture of favoritism. Some great artists have got no LEA parcel, on others I wonder what them has brought to this privilege. But that's just my very subjective opinion.

Is that Griefing?

Artists are a unique species. I know this too well, as there are some in my closest RL. Dear artists do not be upset with me but most of you are divas, with more emotional and irrational thinking as normal people. Probably exactly that is what makes you creative. But it is also dangerous to live with you; conflicts with you turn much faster to major dramas as with others.

A good example is the everlasting drama about a particular person: SaveMe Oh

When I talk to artists, SaveMe is almost described as the devil himself. She is blamed to satisfy her huge ego on other artists costs. And above all, she is denied again and again to be an artist.

How is the art world in SL? First of all, it is very small, people know each other. RL artists and RL laymen are appearing here as an artist. There are copyists of their own RL works and there are virtual, immersive artist. There are content creators and buyers of prefabs. And of course there are all styles of art. Between these groups is smoldering huge conflict potential, but gladly one common enemy holds all together: SaveMe Oh.

What is so terribly bad with SaveMe? She walks with giant attachments to particular art events, such as openings. They are usually so large that visitors can barely see the exhibited works. Sometimes she also practice verbal criticism of the exhibition. This regularly leads to the fact that SaveMe is banned or has been banned as a precaution. The results of the discussions are found in SaveMe's blog. The visitors, including myself find these incidents often amusing. And if one feels really disturbed, he just mute or derender her and moves on. But not the artists - oh noo. THEY ARRE TERRIBLY UPSET! And gather with friends to verbally incite against this disorder. I understand that an artist gave his heart blood to a new work, but a bit more sovereignty should be possible. And sometimes it really helps to take yourself not so very important. Once an artwork is displayed, it belongs to the public. There is no guarantee of praise and approval. And unfortunately, the prevailing opinion against SaveMe leads to the fact that her supporters are constantly in a defensive position or rather just enjoy silently.

Enioying the Action (taken by Rose Borchovski)

Such a situation can be handled cool and confident. Ux Hax has shown this last Friday at the opening of Anley Piers "The Dark Side". He let play SaveMe a while and has even offered her to get the sim Metales for a monthly display, which she denied. He had the last laugh on his side. And after a reasonable time SaveMe was banned from the event. Obviously, also fell no evil words in IM, that it was for SaveMe not interesting enough for a blog entry. Bravo, that way all had their fun!

Now, many readers will wonder why I think these actions are good and needed. First of all, I saw especially in Anley's monochromatic world that these attachments created something new and nice. But there is a much more important reason: Everyone knows almost everyone in this small world. That creates a “kiss kiss society” as we say in German, where nobody wants to hurt the other. There is no real art critic in SL. The small handful of bloggers are so integrated that they keep quiet, instead of practicing negative criticism. But every artist needs criticism to grow. And I say here without any political correctness, that a large number of artists in SL overestimate the quality and importance of their works. They just listen the praise from their friends. SaveMe is a pleasant cure glitch in this world. And her actions are not always, but often funny. Here for example an opening by Betty Tureaud, the only I ever wrote about:

Opening of "The Fall" by Betty Tureaud

And I had tears of laughter at an event where she simply wore the sign “Booooring” . Since it was a voice event, I realized that it was not just me. But with the examples of the openings of Betty Tureaud and Anley Piers is also clear that SaveMe select the disturbed events according to popularity. I do not write about these actions regularly, because I want to present to the readers of my blog content about places they can see and experience themself. I've often asked SaveMe of giving me a hint before, but that did not happen so far for obvious reasons. Therefore, I would be grateful if SaveMe really would make an installation maybe at Metales. Then could come all the artists of SL, and embellish the work with their own attachments. That would be a great spectacle and something one would talk about a long time!

These actions are an expression of pure egoism and griefing? Would be a vain artist write this in his own blog: “…and then the awful witch SaveMe Oh found it again necessary to say some awful words about it as if she produces herself higher quality…” I think many are not able to see the humour in all that.

SaveMe Oh is far from beeing a saint. I myself have witnessed personal attacks of her, that were beyond all tolerable. But I also note, that this is as well a question of different communication cultures. More than once I saw that I had to laugh about actions which others found quite horrible. Northern Europeans are simply more direct and harsh in tone. From others often perceived as rude. I spoke to Kiana Writer. She is the owner and creative head of MadPea and Finn. She said: "Northern Europeans definitely have a different way to communicate than let's say Southern Europeans or Americans. We are perceived as cold and even rude, but the truth is far from that. Our humor is slightly different and we do not often just chit chat about things. We say what we mean and stand by our word .. so we may talk less, but it's more straightforward and to the point. I always try to make sure when communicating with people from other cultures that either side is not misunderstood and it's often easier to do that one voice, when you get to hear the actual tone of the voice. "

But now to the cause of this much too long post: Between the Pirats artgroup and SaveMe there is a long enmity, whose origin I do not know and do not even want to know. I am personally a supporter of Pirats because no group of artists actually brings together so many different styles and artists on one platform. This is actually practiced tolerance. So it is only natural that in each exhibition are some works I like and others I do not. Nevertheless, I agree with SaveMe's criticism that the reconstruction of concrete buildings as virtual walls for copied RL works is not necessarily an effective artistically way to exploit the possibilities of a virtual 3D environment. But SL is big enough for everyone. SaveMe is constantly banned from the Pirats sim. Someone said yesterday in the Pirats gallery: "Freedom stops where the freedom of others is hurted." I reply: True tolerance begins where it hurts. And I say, yesterday we saw an expression of freedom of the strongest or lets say the better connected to the force! In such situations my Joan of Arc gene turns active!

Pirats had recently financial difficulties and have found after a rescue events asylum on a LEA Sim. Of course SaveMe was banned before it opened yesterday. I appeared a bit earlier and had problems to get into the sim and came by a neighbor sim. The faithful friend of Pirats openings, lag, was already there! The LEA sims are connected, and maybe 20 minutes after the opening SaveMe Oh started on the empty sim behind Pirate's an art action with attachments, supported by several colleagues and friends. I would like to particularly mention Kikas Babenko and Marmaduke Arado. It was colorful, funny, friendly and beautiful!

…until Sasun Steinbeck, a member of the LEA Committee appeared in the Pirate's Gallery and banished SaveMe Oh from the neighbor sim. The other artists were spared.

I don’t know Sasun, but I asked for an explanation. Here it is: [05/03/2012 15:11] Sasun Steinbeck: she was wearing a very large prime of some sort that was blocking access by avatars in the gallery here and intruding into their space "

Sasun Steinbeck at Pirats (2nd from right)

I'll spare you the rest because there were only repetitions of the same content. Unfortunately I have to state very clearly that I can not confirm. I was on both sims. The attachments were as always set on phantom. I could pass at any time and I was able to move freely as well in the Pirate's gallery. For a longer while I stood at the window with others. At no time intruded the attachment visibly the Pirats Gallery. Right at the moment of the ban I was walking through the gallery and was before able to move freely besides the lag.

In this context, I quote myself from a comment to a great post by Rowan Derryth that has been written about another SaveMe drama: "I'm German. My country has a very special story in the oppression of artists. Famous artists seeking as Kandinsky, Munch, Kokoschka, Dix, to name just a few, were classified as degenerate by the Nazi's. 20 000 art works from 1400 artists were removed from German museums and destroyed or given away. Countless are the artists who were killed or simply starved to death and are forgotten today. Who was behind it? An artist: Adolf Hitler. Twice he was rejected for lack of talent at art school in Vienna, Which did not prevented him for painting and worship the romantics of the 19th Century. But that's not the end. I grew up in the West with constant media coverage on artists, who wanted or had to leave the GDR because of suppression of their work. The GDR had a constant leakage of important artists to the west. In my personal opinion the mechanisms of repression under fascism and communism are exactly the same. The GDR leadership was even with her bad taste in art in the tradition of the Nazis. Shortly after the fall I moved to East Germany and saw partly personal, partly through media more personal tragedies in the art world, which are attributable to differing opinions about art and its role in society. They were always held with a special passion and hardness by artists. I could write about this topic alone a whole book.

I'll spare you now deeper thoughts on that and come to my conclusion: Legal certainty and freedom of expression / art are the largest and most sacred treasures of modern culture and must be defended at all costs. And just in our little global village in SL should be banned because someone else artist feels itself under attack? This is unacceptable for me and the first step to fascism. Who is here to deter mine what is art and what is not, who may exhibit and who not, how shall be presented and how not? "

The rest after SaveMe was banned

A creative and humorous counter-demonstration by artists was simply eliminated by favoritism. The action yesterday was a dark hour of the art world in SL. I think it's really high time that the residents should think about democratic structures in SL.

Mila Kunis was not impressed when her presenting partner Justin Timberlake declared at the 2011 Academy Awards, “I’m Banksy.” Apparently even the man who “brought sexy back”… not cool enough to be the world’s greatest living artist….

What do Banksy, Shepard Fairey, and for that matter, Mark Zuckerberg, have in common? They changed the world… without getting permission from anyone.

The pros and cons of street art can be debated forever, but it’s undeniable that illegal, stealthy, fast street art has an urgency and compelling power. Shown in a gallery, the aesthetics and virtuosity remain, but the in-your-face urgency is laid waste.

SaveMe's "contribution" to VB14. I thought it was partly amusing and partly disruptive. VBCO Managing Director Seasprite Destiny was less amused and told me to "tell your friend to knock it off," although I hadn't actually invited her. I think it was that trouble-maker Fau that TP'd her in!

In our 24 major in-world performances, VBCO Multiverse has, especially in our earlier days, performed in a number of gallery and museum settings. Marvellous spaces managed by visionary curators. These were wonderful experiences, but still, it was all about permission. Even when we performed at the home of edgy performance, Odyssey, we had to ask Liz & Fau for dozens of things. It’s funny to think of Eva & Franco Mattes, art thieves, pranksters, and hacktivists, negotiating with Fau for the details of a performance at Odyssey.

SaveMe Oh doesn’t ask for permission.

SaveMe appears and performs intensely personal responses to environments. At least until someone bans her from the sim.

I was at an informal gathering the other day when someone started throwing a bunch of colored cubes our way. It was, I thought, a lot cooler than what we were doing. It wasn’t, to my mind, particularly disruptive. Then there was a big pencil. Then they were banned. Then there was much chatter about those horrible griefers.

At VB Flashmob #3 an unknown "audience member" "contributed" a few thousand ponies on our heads to our performance.

It occurs to me that SaveMe is the closest person to Banksy in all of SL. Of VBCO/Multiverse she said “just a thin excuse for parading naked.” IDK what she thinks of the myriad 2D exhibitions around SL.

In a world that is even more permissions based, even more regimented than FL, SaveMe is the one person who doesn’t ask permission. I don’t necessarily think her insights are genius. There’s certainly a repetitive quality to her work. But if street art is the lifeblood of the 21st century… then who is living that impulse in this world more than SaveMe and the other “griefers.”

It is true that “griefers” can expend a small amount of resources and disrupt a project that others have spent substantial time and money creating. No that doesn’t seem fair. Yes, negotiating the dynamics of street art is complex.

But in a fake world that is starving for authenticity… in a world where we define our individuality by the selection of corporate logos we choose to wear… it is the street artist… it is the griefer… who powerfully challenges our assumptions… who asks us to think differently.

In the physical world some street artists have codes such as “don’t go up over anything you can’t burn (do better than)” or don’t write on churches or schools or homes… or Write on Public Property…

SaveMe dancing at the ADD Party at Van's.

I’ve said before that while I appreciate “application art” like Lady Gaga, it’s “research art” like John Cage that questions our assumptions, expands our definition of music, art, and ultimately life. There’s some amazing 2D art in Second Life, I love a lot of it, I’ve bought some of it, but no one neatly hanging rectangles where they were told to hang them knows the power of SaveMe running shreiking thru a room and leaving a chaotically terraformed world in her wake.

Do we underestimate how much we owe the “griefers?”

Have you hugged a “griefer” today?

– VB

By way of full disclosure, I must confess that this is my InWorldz profile. It's a lot less exciting than it looks, all she ever does it tell me to cook dinner and take out the trash. Her culinary preferences are shockingly pedestrian.

LONDON, 30 March – Like Peter Sellers’ “Chauncey Gardiner” in Hal Ashby’s 1979 film Being There, artist savant SaveMe Oh has once again, knowingly or otherwise, advanced the cultural dialog through her work. Few in virtual space have had the accidental vision or unintended clarity about 21st century new media that Oh regularly stumbles upon. With her echolalic mantra “ME ME ME” as deafening as it is repetitive and one-note, she provokes, indeed demands, a consideration of coping mechanisms in the century of new media pollution. If not its Banksy, then she surely is the virtual world’s Chauncey Gardiner.

Stephen Spielberg’s 2002 adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s 1956 short story The Minority Report has been legendary for it’s prognostication on our visual culture future. When, in the fullness of time, Spielberg’s vision becomes a vision of the future, now past, and almost necessarily mostly “wrong” in it’s “predictions” about culture, the film will exist as little more than a minor footnote. It will have been much more than that. This film is a focus on ideas and concerns about how we will navigate the coming augmented reality forest.

Envisioned for ages, but realizable only in 2007′s nexus of hardware, software, and display, multitouch exploded onto the public stage that year with 3 remarkable devices: Apple’s iPhone, Microsoft’s Surface, and Perceptive Pixel’s 16 foot long multitouch computing wall. When I met with Jeff Han, formerly of NYU and later founder of Perceptive Pixel, in 2007 I, like so many who spoke to him, brought up Tom Cruise in Minority Report. Han explained to me, for the millionth time no doubt, that while Cruise’ “Multi-Gesture” was very cinematic, that it was, in fact, not the way we’d really want to work. “We don’t want multi-gesture, we want multi-touch.” Considering our corporeal, tactile nature, I replied “oh, like a surgeon, you wouldn’t want her waving a scalpel in thin air, she’d want force-feedback against a surface.” “Exactly,” replied Han.

Beyond multi-gesture / multi-touch, Minority Report’s other bold vision was a world polluted by a personalized, augmented reality forest. To escape imprisonment via retinal scan, Cruise’ character has eye replacement surgery and moves through a future-tech mediated space being constantly mis-identified as the former owner of the eyes, and shown advertising targeted to that person. Perhaps our identity has always colored our experience of the world, and perhaps, paradoxically, no two people have ever experienced the same events the same way. When I see red lips, is my perception, and my lifelong experiential milieu different from yours? A little? A lot? When Rush Limbaugh and Al Franken hear a political speech, do they each hear a different speech? What about when Limbaugh and Franken both hear a symphony? Is that “neutral” experience also colored by their ideological frameworks, aesthetic sensibilities, and lifelong weavings of cultural experience, sensitivity and appreciation?

All of which is an overwrought, dramatic, indeed bombastic way of saying that for the 1st time in my 3 years of virtual life, I “muted” someone today. I was more relieved and calm after I erased SaveMe Oh and her visual pollution from my experience of our performance at Trafalgar Square, but it was unsettling in that I was taking the “real” virtual space and making a “fake?” version of it for my personal consumption. For all my immersion in virtuality, for all my “setting time of day,” this felt somehow “wrong.” In the past the Limbaughs and Frankens have always experienced the same event differently, in the future we will not only perceive the stimulus differently, but we will redesign the stimulus to evoke the perception of our choice. The “earbud army” has already sonically reengineered the landscape for some time now, but the radical alteration of visual space is, I think, a much more emergent phenomena.

Today artists tinker with Augmented Reality, placing The Goddess of Democracy in Tienanmen Square… or Tahrir Square… tomorrow our every step in physical or virtual space will not only receive an onslaught of visual media from artists, but from governments and marketers galore. The ability to “mute” SaveMe Oh, like the crappy privacy settings on Facebook, is but the first step in the coming age of finer grained and more complex “visual perception settings.” It was my sense today that the majority of participants actually enjoyed Oh’s “show,” so they wouldn’t need to adjust her settings. For those who didn’t want to see it, or in my own case where we were attempting to participate in the global, 6-continent event Dance Anywhere and I wanted to see and document the work in Virtual Trafalgar Square, a single click revisualizes the space.

As I’m new to “muting” or “blocking” users, relaxing at Gallery Xue / London after the performance, I practiced muting and unmuting on gallerist Xue Faith. The images below are from Firestorm 4.0.1 and are essentially the same with Exodus or Viewer 3.

When you wish to no longer see an avatar's image, text, or in SaveMe Oh's case, their visual material, you simply right-click them and select "Mute" or "Block." SaveMe Oh "wears" all of her visual effects so that she can present them in spaces where she doesn't have rez permission, therefore muting her immediately terminates all of her effects.

As you see, after selecting "mute" or "block," the avatar, their text, and all of their visual appliances disappear from visual/virtual space, and your "block list" appears for your review and management.

If you ever "wonder what you're missing" you can easily bring up your "Block List" by clicking the small gear on your Friend List in Firestorm / Exodus / Viewer 3, and toggling any avatar on or off.

Speeding down a highway today you can attend or not attend to a billboard, but their sheer scale demands, at least for the moment of passing it, some degree of retinal attention. Tomorrow, like an army of visual ants, we may opt-in or opt-out of myriad visual possibilities. In today’s media world it is less common to actually pay for content, and more common to get it “free” for the price of viewing ads or being data mined. Perhaps tomorrow our enhanced vision will come at the price of required opt-in of visual materials.

When Bouguereau painted his "Indigent Family" in 1865 is was a convenient image for the viewer, making homelessness not so bad, and not such a pressing problem. In the coming world of rose-colored-glasses we will no longer require the compliance of the artist, but will simply have the ability to view and perceive reality in any way we choose.

As we become Tom Cruise in the augmented reality forest, perhaps our visual future will contain both fine-grained choice of the visual content of the spaces we inhabit, as well as media sponsored and government enforced visual coercion similar to that experienced by Malcom McDowell’s character Alex in Stanley Kubrick’s 1971 film A Clockwork Orange.

MY PROMISES

I shall not upload movies to YouTube. Next time I will listen when they warn me 3 times in six months and delete my account.

I shall not upload movies to Facebook. Next time I will listen when they tell me to stop.

I shall not play SaveMe Oh soon anymore. I better listen to the Linden when they warn me. They don’t warn me 6 times for nothing.

I shall not be a member of the Second Life Machinima Artists Guild. I better listen good when saint Lowe Runo explains me the rules.

I shall not interfere when Jumpman Lane inseminates his group of curly blonde bimbo poodles. As a pornking he has the right to do so and even when not, it’s not my business.

I shall not accuse machinima makers of being slaves of commercial corporations. I should leave everybody free in their choice to be a prostitute.

I shall not speak in public about the ugliness of pulsating prims. Everybody has the right to play an artist in secondlife.

I shall not add sounds to concerts who are boring and without quality. Everybody has the right to produce shit.

I shall not litter the screen with my attachments to create a more interesting view. Everybody has the right to be in their own ugly surrounding without me interfering.